Australian man arrested for inappropriate behaviour with guinea pigs in bar

Of all the things Hervey Bay police have had to do in the line of duty, arresting two guinea pigs has got to top the list. Senior Constable Mick Bleakley recalled the bizarre events that unfolded in front of a Pialba pub on Thursday night.

At about 9.30pm Snr Const Bleakley of Queensland police, and his first year recruit were called to the pub after disturbed bar staff called to say a man and his two pet guinea pigs were causing havoc in the hotel and neighbouring bottle shop. “We received information that a man was behaving inappropriately with his two guinea pigs,” Snr Const Bleakley said. “Staff said he was behaving in a bizarre manner and acting oddly in the poker machine area, patting the guinea pigs and disturbing other patrons.”



When they arrived the man had left the pub and was sitting out the front of the shop with the guinea pigs who were being kept in an ice coffee container. Snr Const Bleakley said the man became aggressive and when they tried to place him under arrest he resisted and would not let the guinea pigs go. “I said ‘Sir, put the animals down,” Snr Const Bleakley said.

“When he refused we were forced to take the guinea pigs and the man into custody.” The man was charged with obstructing police, public nuisance and a range of liquor act offences. The guinea pigs were released without charge. Snr Const Bleakley gave the man a box to house the animals in. A follow-up welfare check revealed they were safe and well.